Taste The Rugged North West

Take a seven day road trip around ‘Nordvestlandet’ and taste the rugged north west. Here, you'll find a new definition of 'natural beauty', while at the same time you’ll be introduced to new experiences which combine the best of artisanal food and landscape. Feel the salty ocean breeze and be inspired by local entrepreneurs. Taste handmade sea salt, sample some of the finest cheeses in the world, and add a bunch of local Norwegian specialities to your list of favourite foods.

Itinerary

Photo: Gloppen Hotel (Historic Hotels and Restaurants)

DAY 1: gloppen In SAndane

Your Norwegian culinary fairytale begins in Sandane, a small fishing town which can easily be reached by a domestic flight from Oslo. The family-run Gloppen Hotell is known for their distinctive kitchen and focus on locally sourced food, including dishes such as locally caught trout and deer. Enjoy this taste of Nordic cuisine and hospitality. We will also guide you up the winding lane to the herb farm Høgt & Vilt (High & Wild), overlooking Gloppen fjord. Enjoy the hotel's own homebrewed beer in the garden before a four-course dinner.

Photo: Tina Stafrèn/Visitnorway.com

DAY 2: sandane - NORDDAL (135 km)

After a good night's sleep, the journey continues to Geiranger. Stop at Geiranger Chocolate, a charming chocolate factory in a boat house with shop and cafe. For a sweetmeat with an exotic Norwegian twist, how does a praline filled with our famous Norwegian brown cheese or handpicked wild blueberries sound? Lunch is served at Westerås farm with a panoramic view of Geiranger.

Onward to Petrines Gjestgiveri (Traditional Guest House) in Norddal, a village known for its rugged local food culture and tradition of home-brewed malt beers. The kitchen makes organic local Norwegian cuisine from scratch. Three-course homemade dinner.

Photo: Molde (Classic Norway)

DAY 3: NORDDAL - Molde (87 km)

The day starts with a ferry ride across the picturesque fjord and continues further north on the dramatic Scenic Route Geiranger - Trollstigen ("The Troll's Path"). The road is surrounded by epic landscapes of fjords and mountains. This route will take you down to Romsdalsfjorden, where a homemade lunch will be served at the cozy cafe Sødahlhuset.

The next stop is Molde; the town of roses, surrounded in fjords. Discover true Norwegian beauty as you hike through landscapes you've only ever seen in fairytale illustrations. An hour's hike brings you to Tusenårsvarden, from the starting point at Damefallet. Dinner and accommodation is at Molde Fjordstuer, surrounded in fjords with indescribably lovely views.

Photo: Tingvollost - Kraftkar

DAY 4: Molde - kristiansund (75 km)

Take the road from Molde to Tingvollost, where you will have the pleasure of the Norwegian equivalent of a ploughman's lunch at Den Glade Ku farm. Try what many here consider the best cheese in the world, a blue cheese called kraftkar, from the neighbouring farm shop at Tingvollost. From here you will drive to the city of Kristiansund, where we will introduce you to the local tradition of klippfish (bacalao) at the oldest restaurant in town, Smia. Their Norwegian home cooking is based on family recipes made from organic Norwegian produce. Overnight stay is at Thon Hotel in Kristiansund.

DAY 5: kristiansund - Finnøy (113 km)

Trace the Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Ocean Path) from Kristiansund south to Bud and Hollingsholm. Atlanterhavsvegen has been described as the world’s most beautiful road. It is an intense experience, where the force of the occasional side winds will give you a new respect for the weather. Continue on the ferry to the island of Gossa. Here you will be introduced to the art of handcrafted sea-salt making at the North Sea Saltworks and eat lunch on the island. Finally, spend a memorable night on the island Harøy in an iconic inn called Finnøy Havstuer, where you will have the opportunity to taste the local delicacy, whale meat.

Photo: Renowned restaurant Maki in Brosundet Hotel (62 nord)

DAY 6: Finnøy - ålesund (72 km)

The trip continues further south, past Harøya by ferry to the small coastal island of Ålesund. Entering Ålesund from the sea is a sight to behold. There are plenty of things to see and do; the city has a tremendous amount of historical interest, and you can get a good look out over the city by climbing the 418 steps up to the city's stunning viewpoint. Eat and sleep in style at Hotel Brosundet. A four-course Liten Fangst (Small Catch) will be served in Hotel Brosundet's renowed restaurant Maki. Servings are based on the catch of the day from Sunnmøre, mostly from the waters off Runde.

Photo: Samuel Taipale/visitnorway.com

DAY 7: depart ålesund

Enjoy a last day surrounded by fjords, mountains and art Nouveau architecture. Regular domestic flight from Ålesund to Oslo.